West Lowndes (Miss.) standout Brandon Hill was one of Mississippi State's first three commitments back in February.

Not many players from the small Class 2A ranks get the opportunity to play against a Division-I prospect so Hill knew that he would be a marked man when he stepped foot on the field this season.

"I've felt like I have had a target since my breakout 10th grade season," Hill said. "But I will say that it is a little bit more intense with folks coming after me since I am committed. There is a lot of talking and everybody wants to add their two cents but after the game they always give me my respect."

Despite the added attention from opposing teams Hill has shined throughout the first two weeks of the season getting the Panthers off to a 2-0 start. He stars on both sides of the ball catching six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 tackles, one sack, two pass deflections and two interceptions, one of which he returned 55 yards for a touchdown.

Last week he had three catches for 62 yards, four tackles, one sack and both of his interceptions helping lead the Panthers to a 26-0 shutout of rival East Oktibbeha.

"It feels so good to get back on the field," Hill said. "I've been waiting for this for the longest. My team realized that I am trying to do big things for this season so we just need to get ready to go as far as we can."

West Lowndes was one of many Mississippi high school teams that were bumped up a class when the MHSAA reshuffled it's classification with the addition of a sixth class this year. This week the Panthers will have a county rivalry game traveling to Class 4A Caledonia (0-1).